*In the new biblical epic “House of David” from Amazon MGM Studios, Ayelet Zurer and Ali Suliman take on two of the most complex figures in Israel’s history—Queen Ahinoam and King Saul. As the loyal yet conflicted queen, Zurer brings depth to a character often overlooked in historical narratives, while Suliman masterfully portrays Saul’s rise to power and his tragic downfall.
According to the official synopsis, the Prime Video series “follows the once-mighty King Saul as he falls victim to his own pride. At the direction of God, the prophet Samuel anoints an unlikely, outcast teenager as the new king. As Saul loses his power over his kingdom, David embarks on a journey to discover and fulfill his destiny, navigating love, loss, and violence in the court of the very man he’s destined to replace. As one leader falls, another must rise.”
For Suliman, this retelling of King Saul’s story is particularly compelling. “I find it fascinating—the way he is developed in the script, the arc, and the whole journey of this character,” he shared. “It’s full of twists.”
Reflecting on Saul’s transformation, Suliman explained, “He started his journey from nothing, and suddenly, he became the first king of his people, creating a strong kingdom. But then, he loses his faith and disobeys the words of the seer, the prophet. He’s on the brink of losing everything he built himself.”
Amid this turmoil, one unlikely figure emerges as a beacon of hope. “The only hope that comes to his house is this simple shepherd,” Suliman continued. “And one of my favorite parts of the whole journey is the relationship that develops with that small shepherd—David.”
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Zurer also sheds light on Queen Ahinoam’s role in the story, emphasizing how her character evolves as Saul descends into madness. “The more he descends, the more she needs to take extreme measures, and she becomes more brutal in a way,” Zurer explained.
Despite often being overshadowed in biblical accounts, Ahinoam plays a vital role in Saul’s reign. Zurer elaborated, “Because her husband descends into a sort of madness, she has to hold everything together—as a mother and as the wife of a king. And she’s a very capable woman. I always see her as the PR and crisis management of the story. She keeps everything together.”
Elsewhere in the discussion, Zurer and Suliman share what makes “House of David” a fresh and powerful retelling of an ancient story. Watch the exclusive clip below.
“House of David” debuted on Prime Video on February 27, launching with three episodes, followed by one new episode released weekly.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Stephen Lang on Bringing the Prophet Samuel to Life in ‘House of David’ | EUR Video Exclusive
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